These Days: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015
Governing: During the Lebanese civil war, local militias all wanted to govern their territories, but they failed at the basics. They didn’t provide services, electricity, water, garbage pick up, all they did was terrorize people and take tax money. Flash forward 35 years and according to NYT: “Cruelty, a lack of services and an onerous tax system are driving people from areas controlled by the Islamic State, challenging its claim of being a government for the world’s Muslims.”
Recorded: Apple Music have some very good playlists this week. Top of the pile? “Songbook: Chris Stapleton”, featuring his “Comeback Song” recorded by Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett’s “Crash And Burn”, Luke Bryans “Drink A Beer” and much more. Even when you don’t like the singer you like the song.
Live: Kurt Vile, Superchunk, Titus Andronicus, and more tonight at Webster Hall for $35 and it is not sold out.
Race For The Presidency: Miracle, Clinton does something Presidential: “Hillary Clinton doubled down on her refusal to put troops on the ground in Syria and Iraq in the fight against ISIS.”
Television: Binge watching John Oliver yesterday, he needs a couple more tricks up his sleeve. Funny and smart but neither as funny nor as smart as last year. Still the best political comedy show on TV.
Facebook: Zuckerberg Pledges 99% of Facebook Shares to Charity? I bet his daughter will be thrilled to hear it. If I was Zuck I don’t think I’d go quite that far… and maybe wait till I was dead and stick it in my will.
